Alonso has been the head stonemason at the National Cathedral since 1990 and has worked as a mason there since 1985. Alonso is currently assessing the damage following the earthquake earlier this September. How did you get your start as a mason?
My parents are from Spain and my dad was a mason. I’ve been around it since I was a kid, helping my dad fix mortar, stones and bricks. Right out of high school, I started my apprenticeship here in D.C. and apprenticed for four years, became a mason and worked my way around D.C. until I ended up here at the cathedral.
What’s your favorite gargoyle, statue or grotesque on the cathedral?
My favorite gargoyle on the building is this wonderful carving of Medusa on the southwest corner. It was carved back in the 1980s by one of the stone carvers here, and I was one of the ones who laid her in place and hoisted her up. It’s an incredible piece of work, the detail, just everything.
Why is D.C. such a great city for masons and architects?
Just look at the stone and masonry buildings that are around you in this city. It’s a great city to be a stonemason in and to have apprenticed here and been exposed to all the different types of work.
Is stonemasonry a dying profession?
No … well, there’s still a need for stonemasons, there’s a lot of work. Part of the profession that’s not as active anymore is the architectural carving. But we’re still doing it here at the cathedral.
Do you ever get scared of heights?
If you’re going to be a stonemason, you’re going to be on very high scaffolding. As a matter of fact, this morning I was at the top of the bell tower 300 feet up looking at some of the work up there. I’m all over this building all the time.
— Leigh Giangreco
